The role of members in an academy trust
Learn how and why members are essential to the integrity of an academy trust governance structure.
Academy trusts are set up as charitable companies and so must have members. Members have a have a similar role to shareholders of a company limited by shares.
They hold the trust board to account for the effective governance of the trust but have minimal involvement in running the trust. Therefore, there should be significant separation between the individuals who are members and those who are trustees.
Members are essential to the integrity of an academy trust governance structure. There are some critical decisions that sit with the members, especially if the trust is failing. They must remain informed of trust performance and be clear on how to interact with the trust board.
Academy trust members can use our guide to assure themselves of their remit. It should also be invaluable to trustees who report to the members.
Our guide to the role of academy trust members covers:
- how members contribute to academy trust governance
- how many members are required
- member appointment
- what members do
- holding the trust board to account
- how often members meet and what happens at the meetings
- how members make changes to articles of association
- appointment and removal of trustees
Member-only content
Want to read this?
Become a member
NGA members get exclusive access to hundreds of practical resources including guidance, checklists and planners.
We’re here to support you at every stage of your governance journey with expert advice, training, events, and much more.
Already a member?
Related content
-
Guidance
-
Research
-
Guidance
-
Guidance
-
Tools & templates
-
Tools & templates
-
Publication
-
Research
-
Tools & templates
-
Research
-
Guidance
-
Guidance
-
Guidance
-
Tools & templates
-
Research
-
Training & development19/03/2025VariousZoomChairing
Development for chairs of Single Academy Trusts, Spring 2025 cohort
-
Training & development04/03/2025VariousZoomChairing
Development for chairs of Multi Academy Trusts, Spring 2025 cohort 1
-
Training & development
-
Training & development
-
Training & developmentGoverning board roles
Your governance framework: understanding your role and responsibilities
-
Training & development
-
Training & development
-
E-learning
-
E-learning
-
E-learning
-
E-learning
-
E-learning
-
E-learning
-
E-learning
-
E-learning
-
Webinar13/11/2024Governing board roles
Annual Seminar: Governance for growth: Crafting accountability systems that drive ambition and sustainability
-
Webinar24/10/202412:30 - 13:15ZoomGoverning board roles
Navigating MAT Growth: Opportunities, Risks, and Strategic Decisions for Trust Boards
-
Blog
-
Blog
-
Blog
-
BlogUpdated: 07/03/2024Governing board roles
Back to the essentials: new governance guides for trusts and maintained schools
-
WebinarUpdated: 10/10/2023Compliance & legislation
Safe Schools, Sound Futures: Estate Management for Governing Boards
-
NewsUpdated: 08/09/2023Wellbeing
Annual Governance Survey 2023 reveals worrying trends in behaviour and safeguarding
-
Blog
-
Blog
-
Blog
-
NewsUpdated: 14/07/2023Finance & resources
Balancing budgets is getting harder as boards make known their dissatisfaction on government performance
-
News
-
News
-
NewsUpdated: 30/06/2023Compliance & legislation
New NGA report reveals getting board size and skills right is governance's biggest challenge
-
Events & networks
-
Webinar